Anterior pelvic exenteration with total vaginectomy for recurrent or persistent genitourinary malignancies: review of surgical technique, complications, and outcome

Objective

To describe the surgical technique, complications, and outcomes after anterior pelvic exenteration with total vaginectomy (AETV) for recurrent or persistent genitourinary malignancies.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent AETV between 12/2002 and 07/2011. Relevant demographic, clinical, and pathological information was collected. Postoperative complications and rates of readmission and reoperation (up to 180 days after surgery) were examined, and preliminary survival data were obtained.

Results

We identified 11 patients who underwent AETV. The median age at the time of the surgery was 55 years (range, 36-71). The median tumor size was 0.9 cm (range, microscopic — 4). Primary tumor sites included: cervix, 6; uterus, 3; vagina, 1; and urethra, 1. Complete surgical resection with negative pathologic margins was achieved in all 11 patients. Major postoperative complications occurred in 4 patients (36%). Six patients (55%) required readmission to the hospital. No operative mortalities were observed, and none of the patients required a re-operation. With a median follow-up after the procedure of 25 months (range, 6-95), none of the patients developed a pelvic recurrence. Ten patients (91%) were alive without evidence of disease and one patient (9%) developed a pancreatic recurrence.

Conclusion

AETV sparing the rectosigmoid and anus is feasible in highly selected patients with central pelvic recurrences. Compared to previously reported studies on total pelvic exenteration, data from this case series suggest that AETV may be associated with a lower rate of complications without compromising the oncologic outcome, while also preserving rectal function.     

Prolift盆底重建术与传统手术治疗盆腔器官脱垂的疗效比较

目的比较Prolift盆底重建术与传统手术的疗效和并发症。方法选取2011年8月至2012年9月郑州大学第i附属医院收治的Ⅲ～Ⅳ度子宫脱垂患者65例,其中35例行聚丙烯网片全盆底重建术（研究组）,30例行传统阴式子宫全切＋阴道前后壁修补术（对照组）,分析两组患者的手术时间、术中出血量、残余尿量、术后住院时间及并发症情况。结果研究组手术时间、术中出血量、残余尿量、术后住院时间分别是（68．48±15．65）min、（127．60±30．21）ml和（37．25±23．40）ml和（6．11±1．62）d,对照组分别是（93．83±15．12）min、（150．40±35．81）ml、（52．33±36．30）ml和（7．23±1．43）d,两组比较,差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05）;研究组患者术后阴道总长度[（9．75±1．52）cm]与对照组[（6．40±1．61）cm]比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）,两组C点值比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。术后随访时间4～12个月,研究组2例（5．71%,2／35）阴道后壁网片暴露;对照组3例（10．71％,3／28）术后复发。结论与传统手术相比,应用网片的盆底重建术具有创伤小、出血少、恢复快和疗效好等优势,但存在网片暴露等远期并发症,需要进一步研究。     

The virtues and pitfalls of minimally invasive surgery for gynecological malignancies: an update

Operative laparoscopy is still jockeying for its place in the surgical management of gynecological malignancies. Its usefulness in staging these malignancies continues to be investigated, as does its ability to convert abdominal procedures to vaginal procedures. Recent articles also address the role of operative laparoscopy in less common procedures, as well as the curiosity of investigators to gain a better understanding of the 'consequences' of operative laparoscopy by using animal models. The reader is updated by a review of the reports published over the past year and a half.     

Intraoperative radiation therapy in the treatment of pelvic gynecologic malignancies: a review of fifteen cases

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to review the experience with intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) in the treatment of gynecologic pelvic malignancies at the Massachusetts General Hospital. METHODS: From July 3, 1996, through July 28, 1999, 15 patients were treated with IORT for gynecologic malignancies in a dedicated IORT operating room suite at the Massachusetts General Hospital. Hospital medical records, radiation oncology records, and office charts were reviewed on all patients treated with IORT. IORT was given in the presence of positive surgical margins and where the doses needed for adjuvant postoperative external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) would exceed those tolerated by normal structures. One patient presented with primary disease and 14 with local or regional recurrence. Follow-up time ranged from 3 to 36 months. RESULTS: Treatment in conjunction with IORT included surgery only (7 patients); preoperative EBRT, preoperative brachytherapy, and surgery (1 patient); preoperative chemotherapy and surgery (2 patients); and surgery and postoperative chemotherapy (5 patients). IORT doses ranged from 10 to 22.5 Gy. At the completion of this review, 4 patients (26.6%) have died, 6 (40%) are alive and free of disease, and 5 (33%) are alive with disease persistence or relapse. Of the 10 patients with gross total resection, 5 are alive and free of disease. Of the 5 women with gross residual disease at the time of IORT, only 1 is alive and free of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The volume of residual disease prior to IORT may be an important prognostic indicator for disease relapse. Both local recurrence and distant metastasis were more common among patients with gross residual disease at the time of IORT. Our institutional experience with IORT further supports the importance of optimal surgical resection.     

Hysterectomy for uterine adenocarcinoma in the elderly: Tumor characteristics, and long-term outcome

Objectives

To evaluate the tumor recurrences and survival in elderly patients ≥ 75 years of age with uterine endometrioid carcinoma treated with surgical staging with/without adjuvant radiation therapy (RT).

Methods

We identified 675 surgically staged patients with FIGO stage I–II uterine endometrioid carcinoma who were treated between 1985 and 2009. Their medical records were retrospectively reviewed in this IRB-approved study. Patients were classified as ≥ 75 years vs. < 75 years and compared regarding tumor recurrence and survival. Following a univariate analysis, multivariable modeling was done using Cox regression analysis.

Results

121 patients (18%) were ≥ 75 years old at the time of hysterectomy. For this group of elderly patients, median age was 79. All patients were surgically staged and some received adjuvant RT. Older patients were found to have higher FIGO stages (p < 0.001), higher grade tumors (p < 0.001), more frequent deep myometrial involvement (p < 0.001), and more frequent lower uterine segment involvement (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference found between older and younger patients with respect to lymphovascular space involvement (LVSI) (p = 0.415), number of lymph nodes dissected (p = 0.440), or adjuvant RT received (p = 0.089). Older patients had more tumor recurrence (15% vs 7%) (p = 0.005) and lower five year relapse-free survival of 80% compared to 90% in younger patients (p = 0.0016). Multivariate analysis confirmed the significance of LVSI, grade 3 tumors, and deep myometrial invasion as prognostic factors for recurrence. After adjusting for other poor prognostic factors, age was not found to be an independent prognostic factor for recurrence.

Conclusion

Despite similar surgical staging and adjuvant radiation treatment, patients ≥ 75 years old diagnosed with FIGO stage I–II uterine endometrioid carcinoma were found to have more adverse pathologic features and worse relapse-free, disease-specific and overall survival than younger patients. Age ≥ 75 years alone may not be an independent significant prognostic factor affecting tumor recurrence.     

盆腔器官脱垂术前全面评估和术式选择

盆腔器官脱垂是中老年妇女多发病,手术治疗是重度盆腔器官脱垂的首选治疗方式。在众多手术方式中,正确的选择适宜的手术术式,是纠正器官解剖、改善器官功能的关键。而在术前从主观功能、临床体征、客观辅助检查等方面做好全面细致的评估,并根据脱垂的部位和综合其他因素选择适当的术式,是提高盆腔器官脱垂手术治愈率及改善患者术后主观症状的关键。     

Cyproterone acetate versus a continuous monophasic oral contraceptive in the treatment of recurrent pelvic pain after conservative surgery for symptomatic endometriosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cyproterone acetate versus an oral contraceptive in the treatment of endometriosis-associated recurrent pelvic pain. DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Academic center. PATIENT(S): Ninety women with recurrent moderate or severe pelvic pain after conservative surgery for symptomatic endometriosis. INTERVENTION(S): Six months of continuous treatment with oral cyproterone acetate, 12.5 mg/d, or an oral contraceptive containing ethinyl estradiol, 0.02 mg, and desogestrel, 0.15 mg. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Degree of satisfaction with therapy. RESULT(S): Six patients in the cyproterone acetate arm and nine in the oral contraceptive arm withdrew because of side effects (n = 9), treatment inefficacy (n = 4), or loss to follow-up (n = 2). At 6 months, dysmenorrhea, deep dyspareunia, and nonmenstrual pelvic pain scores were substantially reduced, and significant improvements were observed in health-related quality-of-life, psychiatric profile, and sexual satisfaction; no major between-group differences were seen. Subjective and metabolic side effects were limited. According to an intention-to-treat analysis, 33 of 45 (73%) of patients in the cyproterone acetate group and 30 of 45 (67%) in the oral contraceptive group were satisfied with the treatment received. CONCLUSIONS: Both cyproterone acetate and a continuous monophasic oral contraceptive were effective, safe, and inexpensive therapy for recurrent pain after conservative surgery for endometriosis.     

Technique and feasibility of radical para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy for gynecologic malignancies: a prospective study

Abstract. Of 284 patients evaluated for entry into the study between January 1986 and June 1990, systematic para-aortic and pelvic lymphadenectomy was performed in 208 cases (108 cervical cancer, 43 and 57 ovarian and endometrial cancer, respectively). The median number of nodes removed was 58, 49 and 54 for cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer, respectively. The operating data are divided into 2 groups according to the consecutive number of the cases. The median operating time and the median estimated blood loss of lymphadenectomy was 230 minutes (range 120–270) and 390 ml (range 200–3300) in the first 95 cases. These operating data decreased to 150 minutes (range 100–240) and 250 ml (range 100–2800) in the second 113 cases. No surgery-related deaths occurred. Severe hemor-rages (blood loss exceeding 1000 ml) occurred in 6 patients. The obturator nerve was dissected in 1 patient and in 1 case the left ureter was cut. Formation of lymphoceles occurred in 20.4% of patients. Eighteen patients (8.8%) developed deep venous thrombosis. Nine of these patients experienced pulmonary microembolism. In 3 patients a retroperitoneal abscess was diagnosed. One patient developed a fistula of the most proximal part of the right ureter during the third postoperative week. The resection or coagulation of branches of the genito-femoral and obturator nerves determined mild paresthesis localized at the supero-anterior and internal side of thigh in 11 cases (5.4%). No statistically significant differences were found between the clinical (age, weight and previous chemotherapy) and pathological (type of cancer and lymph node status) parameters considered on one hand and postoperative complications on the other.     

Prognostic impact of adding bevacizumab to carboplatin and paclitaxel for recurrent,persistent, or metastatic cervical cancer

ObjectiveRecent randomized phase III trial has shown significant benefit in overall survival (OS) for patients with advanced cervical cancer by adding bevacizumab to conventional chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic impact for Japanese recurrent, persistent, or metastatic cervical cancer patients where bevacizumab was added to paclitaxel plus carboplatin.Materials and methodsA retrospective analysis was performed on 90 patients with recurrent, persistent, or metastatic cervical cancer mainly treated by paclitaxel plus carboplatin between 2005 and 2019 at our hospital. Data for the following clinicopathological variables were analyzed: (1) bevacizumab use; (2) histology; (3) disease presentation; (4) performance status; (5) prior chemotherapy containing platinum agent; (6) pelvic disease; (7) prior pelvic radiotherapy; (8) location of target lesions. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan–Meier curves, log-rank tests, Wilcoxon tests, and Cox proportional hazards models combined with propensity score matching.ResultsAdding bevacizumab to paclitaxel plus carboplatin showed significantly increased complete response to compared with that of non-users. In a Cox regression hazard model, bevacizumab use tended to show better OS though without statistically significance. After propensity score matching, adding bevacizumab to paclitaxel plus carboplatin showed a significant better OS by univariate analysis using Wilcoxon test, not by log-rank test.ConclusionAdding bevacizumab to paclitaxel plus carboplatin showed a limited prognostic impact for recurrent, persistent or advanced cervical cancer patients in the real world. Further effective second-line treatments are needed to prolong OS of patients with recurrent, persistent or advanced cervical cancer.     

腹腔镜保守性手术联合药物治疗中、重度子宫内膜异位症及地诺孕素治疗复发性子宫内膜异位症性盆腔痛的疗效分析

目的探讨腹腔镜保守性手术联合常用药物对中、重度子宫内膜异位症(EMS)的治疗效果,以及新型药物地诺孕素对复发性子宫内膜异位症性盆腔痛(EAPP)的有效性及安全性。方法对2007年1月—2014年1月行腹腔镜保守性手术治疗EMS的432例患者进行回顾性分析与随访,按照术后联合应用不同药物分为A组(单纯行腹腔镜保守性手术组)、B组(术后联合应用GnRH-a类药物组),C组[术后联合应用左炔诺孕酮宫内缓释系统(IUS-LNG)组],D组(术后联合应用孕三烯酮组)。14名EAPP复发患者每日口服地诺孕素2mg治疗6~13个周期。分析各组患者EAPP的缓解情况、EMS合并不孕患者的妊娠率与妊娠时间、EMS的复发率与复发时间;评估EAPP复发患者应用地诺孕素治疗的有效性及安全性。结果(1)4组EAPP患者治疗前后的中位视觉模拟评分(VAS)均得到明显改善;B组、C组患者的改善更为明显。(2)4组患者EMS术后复发率与复发时间比较无统计学差异。(3)A组、B组、D组合并不孕患者的术后妊娠率分别为40.00%、65.21%、50.00%;B组患者术后妊娠率更高。(4)应用地诺孕素治疗复发性EAPP的患者用药前后的VAS评分有统计学差异。结论(1)单纯行腹腔镜保守性手术与手术后联合应用药物均能改善EAPP,提高妊娠率。(2)联合应用GnRH-a类药物与IUS-LNG后EAPP改善更明显,联合应用GnRH-a类药物还可提高妊娠率,且不延长术后妊娠时间。(3)联合药物治疗后复发率与平均复发时间较单纯行腹腔镜保守性手术相比并未降低。(4)地诺孕素有望成为复发性EAPP理想的治疗药物。     

Detection of sentinel lymph nodes in minimally invasive surgery using indocyanine green and near-infrared fluorescence imaging for uterine and cervical malignancies

Objectives

Our primary objective was to assess the detection rate of sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) using indocyanine green (ICG) and near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence imaging for uterine and cervical malignancies.

Methods

NIR fluorescence imaging for the robotic platform was obtained at our institution in 12/2011. We identified all cases planned for SLN mapping using fluorescence imaging from 12/2011–4/2013. Intracervical ICG was the fluorophobe in all cases. Four  cc (1.25 mg/mL) of ICG was injected into the cervix alone divided into the 3- and 9-o'clock positions, with 1 cc deep into the stroma and 1 cc submucosally before initiating laparoscopic entry. Blue dye was concurrently injected in some cases.

Results

Two hundred twenty-seven cases were performed. Median age was 60 years (range, 28–90 years). Median BMI was 30.2 kg/m² (range, 18–60 kg/m²). The median SLN count was 3 (range, 1–23 ). An SLN was identified in 216 cases (95%), with bilateral pelvic mapping in 179 (79%). An aortic SLN was identified in 21 (10%) of the 216 mapped cases. When ICG alone was used to map cases, 188/197 patients mapped, for a 95% detection rate compared to 93% (28/30) in cases in which both dyes were used (P = NS). Bilateral mapping was seen in 156/197 (79%) ICG-only cases and 23/30 (77%) ICG and blue dye cases (P = NS).

Conclusions

NIR fluorescence imaging with intracervical ICG injection using the robotic platform has a high bilateral SLN detection rate and appears favorable to using blue dye alone and/or other modalities. Combined use of ICG and blue dye appears unnecessary.     

Menopausal status: A possible predictive factor for recurrence in women with cancer of the uterine cervix without pelvic lymph node metastasis

Objectives

To evaluate risk factors for recurrence of carcinoma of the uterine cervix among women who had undergone radical hysterectomy without pelvic lymph node metastasis, while taking into consideration not only the classical histopathological factors but also sociodemographic, clinical and treatment-related factors.

Study design

This was an exploratory analysis on 233 women with carcinoma of the uterine cervix (stages IB and IIA) who were treated by means of radical hysterectomy and pelvic lymphadenectomy, with free surgical margins and without lymph node metastases on conventional histopathological examination. Women with histologically normal lymph nodes but with micrometastases in the immunohistochemical analysis (AE1/AE3) were excluded. Disease-free survival for sociodemographic, clinical and histopathological variables was calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify the independent risk factors for recurrence.

Results

Twenty-seven recurrences were recorded (11.6%), of which 18 were pelvic, four were distant, four were pelvic + distant and one was of unknown location. The five-year disease-free survival rate among the study population was 88.4%. The independent risk factors for recurrence in the multivariate analysis were: postmenopausal status (HR 14.1; 95% CI: 3.7–53.6; P < 0.001), absence of or slight inflammatory reaction (HR 7.9; 95% CI: 1.7–36.5; P = 0.008) and invasion of the deepest third of the cervix (HR 6.1; 95% CI: 1.3–29.1; P = 0.021). Postoperative radiotherapy was identified as a protective factor against recurrence (HR 0.02; 95% CI: 0.001–0.25; P = 0.003).

Conclusion

Postmenopausal status is a possible independent risk factor for recurrence even when adjusted for classical prognostic factors (such as tumour size, depth of tumour invasion, capillary embolisation) and treatment-related factors (period of treatment and postoperative radiotherapy status).     

Pelvic exenteration for recurrent or persistent gynecologic malignancies: a 10-year review of the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center experience (1972-1981)

From January 1, 1972 to December 31, 1981, sixty-five patients underwent pelvic exenteration as treatment for recurrent or persistent gynecologic malignancy at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. Cervical carcinoma was the disease most commonly treated by exenteration. The operative mortality of 9.2% represents an improvement over previous reports from this institution. After routine use of prophylactic minidose heparin, no cases of thrombophlebitis or pulmonary embolus occurred postoperatively. A 5-year survival rate of 23% warrants continued use of exenteration in carefully selected patients. The significant mortality and morbidity associated with pelvic exenteration preclude its use as a palliative procedure.     

Ultraradical surgery for advanced carcinoma of the vulva: an update

From July 1, 1955 to March 31, 1989 24 patients with locally advanced vulvar cancer underwent ultraradical resection. Three patients had received prior radiotherapy. Seventeen of the 24 patients underwent posterior exenteration, four underwent anterior exenteration, and the remaining three required a total pelvic exenteration. One patient died 3 months postoperatively of fulminating infection considered to be a complication of the operation. Three other patients experienced serious complications, including postoperative hemorrhage, severe urinary sepsis, and colostomy stoma necrosis. Eleven (46%) of the 24 patients have remained alive without evidence of recurrent cancer for at least 3 years. Of the 10 patients known to have died of recurrent cancer, nine had positive lymph nodes at the time of surgery. It may be reasonable to utilize ultraradical surgery in patients with clearly resectable lesions who have negative or perhaps 1 or 2 microscopically positive regional lymph nodes.     

Peri-operative physiotherapy improves outcomes for women undergoing incontinence and or prolapse surgery: results of a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND: Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse are common complaints in women. Physiotherapy and surgery to correct these conditions are often seen as mutually exclusive. No study has yet investigated their synergistic potential. AIM: This study aimed to investigate the role of peri-operative physiotherapy in women undergoing corrective surgery for pelvic organ prolapse and/or incontinence. METHODS: In this randomised controlled trial, 30 women underwent preoperative physiotherapy and 30 others had no physiotherapy prior to their incontinence and or prolapse surgeries. Comparison was performed on the basis of the following tests: paper towel test, urinary symptom specific health and quality of life questionnaire, frequency/volume chart and pelvic floor muscle manometry. Women were followed up for 3 months. RESULTS: Both groups showed improvement in urinary continence. Significant group differences were noted in the quality of life questionnaire (P= 0.004), urinary symptoms (P= 0.017) and maximum pelvic floor muscle squeeze on manometry (P= 0.022). Diurnal frequency analysis indicates that there is a significant difference in favour of the treatment group (P= 0.024). CONCLUSION: Routine pre and post operative physiotherapy interventions improve physical outcomes and quality of life in women undergoing corrective surgery for urinary incontinence and or pelvic organ prolapse.     

The use of Palma''s procedure in the salvage therapy for a leiomyosarcoma of the right pelvic sidewall: an intraoperative multidisciplinary approach

Leiomyosarcomas of the ovary and broad ligament are relatively rare. Less than 50 cases of primary ovarian and broad ligament leiomyosarcomas have been reported. The prognosis is poor, with late-stage disease being a problem in the majority of cases. It is difficult to determine the exact role of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy in the management of these tumors. So far, no cases of ovarian or broad ligament leiomyosarcomas have been reported where primary surgery for the sarcoma had to be combined with a Palma's procedure. We report a case of a right pelvic sidewall leiomyosarcoma with involvement of 10 cm of the right external iliac vein. A review of the imaging preoperatively did not suggest involvement of the venous system. Resection of the pelvic mass was carried out and a Palma's procedure was performed by the vascular surgeon. Histology reported an incompletely excised high-grade leiomyosarcoma. Chemotherapy was given postoperatively. Imaging at 12 months after surgery showed a patent vascular graft and no evidence of recurrence. There was no clinical evidence of recurrence at 21 months postsurgery.